10 Ways to Help Your Dog Live Longer
Introduction
Dogs are incredible. They're loving, loyal companions who will do anything for you. But sometimes we don't realize just how important our dogs are in our lives until it's too late and they've already passed away from something that could have been prevented with some simple lifestyle changes. I'm here to tell you how to help your dog live longer so he can be by your side for many more years!
1. Get your dog to the vet twice a year.
A regular vet visit is important for your pet's health. The vet will examine your dog, check for fleas and tapeworms, give him a vaccination for rabies (which is required by law in many states), and may recommend additional vaccines based on where you live. If your dog is unwell or has an injury, the veterinarian will be able to diagnose it quickly and determine the best course of treatment. And if you notice any changes in behavior or activity level—even if those changes seem small—it's always smart to get a professional opinion from the vet.
If getting your dog to a clinic twice per year seems like too much trouble, consider asking friends or neighbors who have dogs if they have room in their schedule this month so that yours can see the vet then instead of next month when there may be fewer openings available at other clinics nearby (this can happen around holidays). Or perhaps one parent could take off work early while another stays late? Whatever works best within your budget; just remember: keeping our pets healthy helps ensure longer lives together!
2. Be careful around the holidays.
It’s important to be aware of the foods you feed your dog. You need to make sure that they don't consume anything that could cause them harm. This is especially important during the holiday season, when we tend to give our pets more treats than usual.
Chocolate can be lethal for dogs and should never be fed to them no matter how much they beg or whine at it! Theobromine—a stimulant found in cocoa beans—can affect their heart rate, blood pressure and kidneys if ingested in large amounts.
While turkey isn't necessarily bad for dogs (unlike chicken bones), it still contains lots of salt so giving too much may contribute towards hypertension down the road if not enough water is consumed with it (which defeats the purpose). Ham has a similar problem due to being high in sodium as well; just remember: moderation is key!
Giving alcohol or caffeine also shouldn't happen because these substances can cause digestive problems later on down the road if ingested regularly by an adult person (and even moreso by an animal). Milk has lactose sugars which makes digestion difficult so skip this one too unless instructed otherwise by your vet."
3. Remember that chocolate is dangerous for dogs.
Remember that chocolate is dangerous for dogs. Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. The most common chocolate bars to be aware of are plain milk and dark chocolate, but all types can be dangerous at certain levels. Dark chocolate has more than double the amount of theobromine as milk chocolate, so you should limit your dog's intake of dark chocolates even more than milk chocolates. The toxic dose for dogs depends on their size: smaller dogs have a lower tolerance for this substance and may experience side effects at lower doses than larger dogs do. If you suspect that your pet has eaten too much chocolate, it's important to contact your vet immediately; they will likely induce vomiting (and possibly administer activated charcoal) in order to keep any further ingestion from happening before bringing your pet in for treatment
4. Don't overfeed your dog.
A dog's size and weight are determined by the energy it consumes. If a dog overeats, it can gain weight and become obese. This increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes in dogs, both of which are serious health conditions that can shorten their lifespan.
On the other hand, if your dog doesn't get enough food to meet its daily energy needs—whether because of an underactive thyroid gland or another condition—it will lose weight and become underweight, which also puts it at risk for some diseases like osteoarthritis.
If you're unsure whether your dog is overweight or underweight, ask your vet to help assess its body condition score (BCS). A healthy BCS of 7/9 means that most of your pet's ribs should be easily felt but not seen when looking from above; there should be little fat around its waist; and its tummy should tuck up slightly when viewed from below.
You can help your pup maintain a healthy weight by feeding them only once or twice daily instead of leaving food out all day long; changing foods gradually so they don't develop an allergy; feeding treats sparingly according to package directions; avoiding sweetened foods such as soda crackers made with sugar or corn syrup because these have empty calories that add unnecessary pounds without providing any nutritional value; keeping pets active with games such as fetching sticks outside
5. Exercise is important for dogs, too!
The fifth tip to help your dog live a long, healthy life is: exercise! Exercise can be as simple as a walk around the block, but it's important for your dog to get this exercise.
Exercise benefits include:
Healthy joints and bones
Weight management (especially helpful if you have an overweight dog)
Mental health (reduces anxiety)
Inflammation reduction in arthritis patients
6. Bring your dog with you every time you leave the house.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Behavior shows that dogs who had access to a backyard or other area outdoors for exercise were less likely to develop behavior problems, such as excessive barking, jumping up on people and destruction of property, than those who were allowed only limited time outside. If you have a yard at home where your dog can play freely, fine; but even if not, consider bringing him along when going out in public or taking trips just so he gets some exercise while also enjoying the comforts of being with his family.
7. Take your pup for regular walks and play outside with her regularly.
One of the best things you can do for your pup is to take her on regular walks and play outside with her regularly. Exercise is good for dogs! They need it to be healthy, happy, well behaved and able to sleep well. They also need exercise so that they can play with other dogs in their neighborhood—a key part of their socialization and mental health development.
8. Make sure your dog gets enough sleep at night even if you don't!
You should also make sure that your dog is getting enough sleep at night, even if you don't need as much yourself. A dog needs at least eight hours of sleep each night. If they don't get enough rest, then it's not going to be good for either of ya!
If you want to help your pooch get some extra shut-eye, try putting them in a crate or kennel where they can lay down comfortably and feel safe at night. And remember: dogs need plenty of water too so give them clean water anytime during the day!
9. Brush your dog's teeth frequently to prevent gum disease and tooth decay, which can lead to other health problems down the road, like heart disease and oral cancer in older dogs.
Brush your dog's teeth frequently to prevent gum disease and tooth decay, which can lead to other health problems down the road, like heart disease and oral cancer in older dogs.
A toothbrush with soft bristles is best for a dog's mouth (you can use an old human toothbrush too). You can buy special canine toothpaste or make your own by mixing baking soda with water; the baking soda will help remove plaque and tartar buildup while freshening up your pup's breath.
Don't forget about their gums! There are dental treats available at pet stores that are specifically made for dogs' mouths—these tasty chews contain vitamin D3 for healthy teeth as well as calcium for healthy bones! If you want something homemade, try these delicious chicken liver treats from Dr. Becker:
10. Make sure all of the furniture around the house is in good shape so it won't break when she jumps on it or scratches at it with her nails (which you should also trim regularly) -- we don't want accidents!
Don't let your dog jump on furniture.
Don't let your dog scratch at furniture.
Don't let your dog chew on furniture.
Don't let your dog have access to all of the pieces of furniture in the house, especially if they're upholstered, or else you'll be buying new ones sooner than later! You can easily keep them off with a gate or baby gate that allows you to block off certain areas while keeping others open for normal use (like when you're having guests over). Just make sure there's nothing dangerous nearby that could hurt Fido if he jumps up accidentally (e.g., glass tables).
If you want him off the couch completely, try placing a blanket down so he has somewhere soft to rest instead -- this way it won't feel too foreign when he does need someplace where he can sit comfortably during TV time!
These are some tips on how to help your dog live longer and happier life
Longer, healthier lives are nothing but good news for both you and your dog. We've compiled some tips that will help you keep your pup around longer, and keep them happy during those precious days they have left with you.
Conclusion
We hope you found these tips helpful and will apply them to your own dog. As always, please reach out if there's anything else we can do for you!
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